Japan Releases for 6/26- Fighting Game BLISS: KOF '98 UM, Basara X, plus MORE!

[bork]

(Scroll down for the complete list)

This week is FIGHTIN' WEEK-- Fate Unlimited Codes has hit arcades, and today MO' AWESOME games are hitting the good ol' PS2:



-Sengoku Basara X- 2D fighting version of Capcom's super-duper-kickin-that-ass Sengoku Basara series, developed by Arc System Works.  The game plays very similar to Guilty Gear/Hokuto No Ken, only with the addition of helper (engun) characters.  I've played the PS2 version already; the game has two additional characters over the arcade version (including Sasaki Kojiro, who can change stances!), plus the standard training, challenge, and versus modes.  The visuals are all intact (The game was made for the System 246 AFAIK); Basara X is Arc's best-looking 2D game to date, although that will likely change quickly when Blaz Blue is released.  Much like Hokuto No Ken, Basara fans will find tons of fan service, from all the dialogue, to backgrounds and music, to win poses and other details.  Basara X's character and background animation is better than Guilty Gear and Hokuto No Ken.  The only real negative to the game is that the sound quality is muffled.  Some of the music quality is pretty bad, particularly on the pre-fight screen.  But this isn't a surprise, being an Arc System Works title.  Awesome, awesome, AWESOME game that is great for fans and non-fans alike. Buy it if you want an awesome samurai fighting game.

-KOF '98 Ultimate Match- The 10th anniversary version of KOF '98 isn't just a simple re-release.  SNK has improved the game over the original, adding in a new Ultimate Mode (joining Advanced and Extra Modes, Ultimate lets you mix and match features from the two), more characters (Eiji Kisaragi, Kasumi Todoh, Geese Howard, Mr. Big, and Wolfgang Krauser), new stages, more bosses (Goenitz, Orochi, O. Leona, and O. Iori are back...and apparently playable in the PS2 version), more combos, and more moves.  The "another" character versions of all the original characters have also been changed up-- now they get brand new or completely changed attacks, making them much different from their original versions in some cases.  This really is the "ultimate" 2D KOF game.  In my opinion, this is the definitive version of the old-school KOF; with this the old series can finally retire and make way for the brand-new KOF XII. 

-Neo-Geo Sunsoft Collection- Contains Galaxy Fight and Waku Waku 7.  Typical of all the Neo-Geo online collections, this features arranged or original soundtracks, versus, training modes, online play (pay service and Japan-only), and color edit.  Worth it for Waku Waku 7 alone.

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Here is the complete release list for this week:

DS:

Bleach: The 3rd Phantom Sega 
Bokura no Telebi Game Kentei Namco Bandai 
Daigassou! Band Brothers DX Nintendo
Derby Stallion DS Enterbrain
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness  Atlus 
Hakoniwa Seikatsu: Hitsuji Mura DS  Success   
Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Kizuna Alchemist 
Higurashi no Nakukoru ni Kizuna Limited Edition Alchemist 
Jigsaw World: Daigekitou! Jig-Battle Heroes Nippon Ichi 
Simple DS Series Vol. 39: The Shouboutai  D3   
The Tower DS  DigiToys   

PS2:

King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match  SNK 
Sengoku Basara X Capcom
Sengoku Basara X Limited Edition Capcom
Sunsoft Collection SNK 

PSP:

Ken to Mahou to Gakuen Mono Acquire 

Wii:

Dokapon Kingdom for Wii  Sting 
Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk Namco Bandai
 
Xbox 360:

Mobile Suit Gundam: Operation Troy Namco Bandai <-- Is this coming?  I didn't check my local store and the online import sites don't have it listed.  It got reviewed already...

[abrader]

jesus christ (tm) I want all three of those.

[Mondain]

yeah the Gundam 360 game is already out there, there's an ISO image for it

[ferrarimanf355]

I want that Sunsoft collection, but then again, those two games could show up on Virtual Console. Who owns the rights to Sunsoft games, anyways?

[bork]

I want that Sunsoft collection, but then again, those two games could show up on Virtual Console. Who owns the rights to Sunsoft games, anyways?

I'll take the two on a disc, complete with their (awesome) arranged soundtracks and other features over the vanilla ROM-you-gotta-pay-for.  The original versions are also missing basic modes like training, by the way.

And looking at the way VC games are coming out, maybe Galaxy Fight would be next year and Waku Waku 7 would be in what...2010?  2011?   

[cool breeze]

importing Band Bros DX.

If Gundam 360 turns out good (lol), I will import it.

[bork]

importing Band Bros DX.

If Gundam 360 turns out good (lol), I will import it.

You might as well forget about Gundam for now; it will be region-locked so you won't be able to play it anyway.

[cool breeze]

Well shit.  I doubt they will bring it over, but I am hoping.

[bork]

Well shit.  I doubt they will bring it over, but I am hoping.

I thought it was supposed to be released in English as "Mobile Ops: One Year War?"

[cool breeze]

Maybe there will be something at E3, but I don't remember them saying anything about it before.  I mean, they did bring out Musou and that shitty one for PS3, but they didn't bring out the great Wii title or any of the PSP games.

[ferrarimanf355]

I want that Sunsoft collection, but then again, those two games could show up on Virtual Console. Who owns the rights to Sunsoft games, anyways?

I'll take the two on a disc, complete with their (awesome) arranged soundtracks and other features over the vanilla ROM-you-gotta-pay-for.  The original versions are also missing basic modes like training, by the way.

And looking at the way VC games are coming out, maybe Galaxy Fight would be next year and Waku Waku 7 would be in what...2010?  2011?   

At least KOF '98 Ultimate Match is getting a release in NA. I'll pick that one up when it's released in the fall... provided that SNK Playmore USA can stick to a goddamned release schedule... 

[Mr. Gundam]

Maybe there will be something at E3, but I don't remember them saying anything about it before.  I mean, they did bring out Musou and that shitty one for PS3, but they didn't bring out the great Wii title or any of the PSP games.

Or any PS2 Gundam title for the last couple years.

[hugs Japanese PS2]

[cool breeze]

Well, they did bring out quite a few on PS2.  I wish they brought over One Year War or UC Climax.  I imported them, but I will always pick to play in a language I can read over one I can't.

[Mr. Gundam]

Well, they did bring out quite a few on PS2.  I wish they brought over One Year War or UC Climax.  I imported them, but I will always pick to play in a language I can read over one I can't.

My four-years of Japanese classes and uber geek knowledge of the shows really helps me get through them!

We didn't get Lost War Chronicles, One Year War, Gundam SEED, UC Climax, Gundam SEED OMNI vs. ZAFT, or Gundam SEED Destiny OMNI vs. ZAFT II. I'm really surprised we didn't see either of the SEED Vs. titles localized, actually. And that's not counting the SD G Generation titles, because those never had a chance of being localized.

[bork]

I almost bought Operation Troy.  ALMOST.

Someone post impressions!

[bork]

Some brief port-related impressions.  All of these games were played on the PS3-

Sunsoft Collection:

-Did Waku Waku 7 get a new arranged soundtrack?  Haven't played the Saturn version in forever, but it sounds a little different from what I remember.

-Waku Waku 7 has 1-2 second load time before each match.  This is the first Neo-Geo online collection game I can think of that does this.  Galaxy Fight does not have this.

-Arcade mode, Versus mode, training mode, color edit, and arranged BGM options available.

Basara X:

-There's a semi-annoying 3 second load (black screen) before each match.  Combined with the prefight screen, that's about 8-9 seconds of waiting.  Not Neo-Geo Battle Coliseum horrible, but getting there.

-The two new characters are available from the start!

-There's "Another" option on the characters if you hold down start on them.  Not sure if this is for the main characters or the engun (assist) characters.  The manual shows it in relation to counters.

-Arcade mode, versus 2P mode, versus CPU mode, training mode, challenge mode, and gallery available.

KOF '98 UM:

They went all out on this port.  Puts Basara X to shame in comparison.  Nice quick load times, too!

-The ORIGINAL KOF '98 is included.  It's the AES version, so you get all the options.

-480p option.

-2D or 3D backgrounds. This is for EVERY SINGLE STAGE, so even the added 2D backgrounds from the arcade version have 3D counterparts.  And they look GREAT!  I think the 3D backgrounds look better on an HDTV.

-Original or Arranged soundtracks.  There's a TON of music in this game, with additional BGMs I never heard in the arcade version.  Stuff like Blue Mary's Blues (vocal!), Psycho Soldier '96, and more.  Songs from KOF '95 and '96 have been added, along with a few others.

-O. Leona, O. Iori, Goenitz, and Orochi are definitely playable characters.  They were not playable in the arcade version.  That brings the roster to a grand total of 64 characters.   

-Arcade (Team), Arcade 2P, Arcade Vs. CPU, Single, Single 2P, Single Vs. CPU, Endless, Challenge, Practice, Gallery, and NeoGeo mode (the original '98) available.

-Very much like recent SNK PS2 ports, there's color edit, six different types of filtering options, screen types, and more options available.

[Shuri]

it would be awesome if the gundam game was region free.

HAHAHAAHA who am i kidding

[bork]

Took some pics.  This is the game running upscaled to 1080p on a PS3.  All the backgrounds are the 3D versions, which do a great job of mimicking their 2D counterparts.  I'll take some pics of it at 480p with no filtering and the 2D backgrounds later for comparison.

[bork]

Here are some pics of '98 Ultimate Match running at 480p, with 2D backgrounds no filtering.  I threw in one shot of the original '98 mode for comparison.

[Mr. Gundam]

I almost bought Operation Troy.  ALMOST.

Someone post impressions!

Play-Asia already has used copies for $45. Wow.

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-dw-49-en-70-2u8a.html

[muckson]

lyte's description of basara x has sold me on the game.

[ferrarimanf355]

I'll be buying KOF '98 UM when it hits stateside, fo sho. 

[Mondain]

sooooooooooooo totally getting the 15$ north american version

[bork]

lyte's description of basara x has sold me on the game.

WHATS ABOUTS THE KOF?!!??111111111111??!11?!112?!121?!

I almost bought Operation Troy.  ALMOST.

Someone post impressions!

Play-Asia already has used copies for $45. Wow.

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-dw-49-en-70-2u8a.html

Holy shit, WOW.  I want to try this just to see how bad it is.

[muckson]

i've had kof 98 preordered for 2 months now.  you should know that.

[bork]

i've had kof 98 preordered for 2 months now.  you should know that.

Well, good.  I was about to ask for your KOF fan badge and piece.   :'(

Hey lyte, should I buy KOF: Neowave? It's $1 but I don't wanna buy it if its shit.

On Xbox?  It's missing two characters from the (Japanese only) PS2 version, but it's worth a shot for $1, sure.  Amazing it's a buck...I had to search all over the place and finally found the J version on an auction site.  Paid 5000 yen for it!  Here's what I wrote about the PS2 version three years (!!) ago:

The third and final KOF topic (for now).  I wrote this last year, but since the game recently came out for the Xbox, I thought I'd repost it here.  The Xbox version is the same, but is unfortunately missing Angel and May-Lee, likely because they were created by Eolith, who is no longer  developing KOF games.

-------------------
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The King of Fighters Neowave
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(Image removed from quote.)

Platform: Playstation 2
Developer: Sammy/SNK Playmore
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Fighting
# Of Players: 1-2
Price: 6800 Yen
Released: 07/21/05 (Japan only)
Other: Online Play using KDDI Service (Japan only)

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--Game Info--------
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The King of Fighters Neowave was the first SNK title to be released on Sammy's Atomiswave arcade hardware rather than the Neo-Geo MVS. The game is essentially an upgrade to The King of Fighters 2002, and while the arcade version altered the line-up by removing several characters or making them unlockable hidden characters, the Playstation 2 version receives an additional five extra characters (Angel, Seth, May Lee, Omega Rugal, and Kusanagi), giving Neowave all of the original 2002 cast (minus K9999) plus Saishyu, King, Shingo, Jhun, and the game's new boss, the younger version of Geese Howard from Art of Fighting 2, making a total of 47 playable characters.  Like KOF 2002 and KOF '98 before it, Neowave is a "Dream Match" game, meaning there is no storyline whatsoever.

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)
What's new to KOF Neowave lies in the game play.  The game system has now been changed; there are five buttons rather than the standard four; the new fifth button activates your character's Heat Gauge.  Going into Heat mode makes your character temporarily stronger, but causes your lifebar to drain until the mode is turned off. 

The game play system has now been split into three separate selectable types of modes:

Super Cancel allows for up to three super bars, and the ability to cancel special moves into other special moves.  Doing this will use one super bar, and you can also cancel into DMs, SDMs, and HSDMs (must have 1/6th life left) with two or three stocks stored.

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)

Guard Break mode allows for Just Defend parry attacks a la Garou Mark of The Wolves.  You get two super bars, and can also do unblockable guard break attacks which use up one of your super meters.

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)

Max2 Mode has your character's super meter increases automatically, however, you lose the ability to roll or evade attacks (although you can do recovery rolls when you get knocked down).  HSDMs can be done with 1/4th of your lifebar remaining.

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)

Although KOF Neowave's sprites are the same as KOF 2002, Neowave has a noticeably more colorful and smoother look compared to the Neo-Geo KOF games.  You can choose from six levels of sprite filtering, as well as edit two of the character's four color schemes. 
The backgrounds, high-res 2D in the arcade, and made 3D for the Playstation (both versions are selectable) with added day/night variations, are of a much higher quality than past games, although they do tend to look empty or are devoid of animation for the most part.

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)

Neowave also has a brand new soundtrack, with both the original arcade and a new arranged version available, and both sound immensely better than the soundtracks found in the KOF games that were released after the old SNK shut down back in 2001. While not quite the same, the music reminds more of the older KOF games with mostly jazzier tunes and some tecnho thrown in.

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)

KOF Neowave offers the usual array of play modes, including Team Play, Single Play, Practice, and Endless (survival) mode.  Playing through the Endless mode will unlock bonus characters as well as character artwork in the gallery mode.

-------------------
--Overall----------
-------------------

Graphics: 8/10- The filtering options give the characters a smooth, colorful look, but these are still the same old sprites (some dating back to 1996) that are being reused over and over again.  The detailed backgrounds really help to enhance the experience and make Neowave stand out from the other KOF games, but they come off as sparse and empty compared to some of the other KOF titles.  Presentation is very bland, although none of it means much once you start fighting.  Character artwork looks fantastic.

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)

Sound: 8/10- Great music that sounds much better than the soundtracks found in KOF 2001-2003, but still not quite up to pre-2000 standards.

Game Play: 10/10- A bit tighter compared to KOF 2002.  The new Guard Break mode in particular makes an already in-depth fighter play even better and allows for even more types of game play.  If you like the way KOF 2002 plays, chances are you will love KOF Neowave.

Replay Value: 8/10 (Not counting online play as I am unable to try it)- You can always spend countless hours going head to head with friends, but for single player, It's always nice to have more than just the standard practice and survival modes. Where are the time attack/challenge modes that KOF 2002 had? 

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The King of Fighters Neowave offers offers no (real) new characters or content, but there's no denying that this is easily one of the best KOF games in the series, and the new game play systems add more depth and new game play options that really help to enhance the overall experience.  Reccomended for fans; casual players will likely want to pass on this and get The King of Fighters 2002/2003 two pack instead.

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)

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[bork]

SOOOOOOO  DCharlie, how's that shitty Gundam game??   

[cool breeze]

Yeah, how is it?

I was actually just playing some Gundam on the Wii while I still can.  I seriously don't get why they didn't bring it over to the states, it is so awesome. 

[bork]

Yeah, how is it?

I was actually just playing some Gundam on the Wii while I still can.  I seriously don't get why they didn't bring it over to the states, it is so awesome. 

Haha, I saw this game used at a few places already.  It's got to be terrible.

[bork]

Oh shit, there's a demo up on the J-marketplace!  Downloading now.

[cool breeze]

Gold only or for everyone?

fuck.  Gold only.

[bork]

Gold only or for everyone?

Gold only.  I'm using the account that I got to DL the Ninja Gaiden 2 demo with.

[cool breeze]

Yeah.  Well, shit.  I don't get why this is a gold exclusive considering it is a Gundam game that doesn't seem like it will be good.  Bastards!

I am also confused about why there are no videos of it online after it was released.

[bork]

I don't know if I'd buy it, but it doesn't seem all that shitty, much to my surprise.

[cool breeze]

So, how long do these exclusive gold demos last?

[bork]

So, how long do these exclusive gold demos last?

A few days to a week, I think.

This game looks so shitty, but it's OK I guess.  Definitely wouldn't buy it. 

[bork]

Is Band Bros. a rhythm game or just something to mess around and make music with?

[bork]

Is it more like Electroplankton?  That game got boring fast.

[bork]

Err no, it's nothing like that.
You play proper songs. Wait, you haven't checked the website or anything?

Watched some Youtube videos; it looked like a rhythm game, but at the same time, it kind of didn't.   

[bork]

'98 UM COMBO MOVIES! These are SICK!

[youtube=425,350]46QaMTKndh4 [/youtube]
[youtube=425,350]WmZxRkbcRlU[/youtube]
[youtube=425,350]CHK6v1Gjqow[/youtube]
[youtube=425,350]6VNK1NENJAs[/youtube]

No arranged music though.

[cool breeze]

Media Create Sales:

10. [360] Gundam Operation Troy - 28,000

  WHAT THE FUCK

I really want to try this demo.

[Mr. Gundam]

Media Create Sales:

10. [360] Gundam Operation Troy - 28,000

  WHAT THE FUCK

I really want to try this demo.

Debuts at #10, and will vanish next week, never to be seen again. It would be really interesting to see just how many more copies it would've sold on the PS3 in Japan.

[cool breeze]

What the hell is up with this shit? the operation troy demo is still gold exclusive and it has been like 2 weeks already.  This is ridiculous.